Vi, if you get a chance to visit any garden over there, either public or private, I urge you to do so. They are marvelous. When I was a child I would look at the old masters paintings and think 'there is not a plant/flower that looks like that' and I was not impressed...... until I went over there. I traveled about and went to Italy just to see the vinyards and architecture. The first thing I noticed was the different plants..... I am so dense sometimes! I wanted so badly to bring back sprigs of plants but knowing NOT to introduce a non native plant into any area I was good..... so... I brought back wine instead. Have a great and safe trip and if you go to a garden take some photos so we can see them too.

Who plants a seed beneath the sod and waits for growth believes in God. ~~Unknown

Hi everyone, I am back, had a great time it just went by so fast, had great weather every day, spent a couple of days in London went to the British Museum spent all my time in the Egyptian section that was fabulous.

Now back to reality and boy have the weeds grown in the last two weeks, have a lot of work to do there need some cooler weather for a couple of days.

Thanks everyone, I worked in the garden most of yesterday because we had some nice cloud cover but there is still a lot to do, with two weeks of neglect there are weeds everywhere and lots of dead foliage to clean away plus I am making a new Iris bed, it will all get done but sure could use a good rain.

Tom, yes anytime it is convenient for you will be fine, thank you.

Leslie, thank you, I have not sent any postage to you yet so let me know as soon as you can and I will get it right out to you and please tree mail me your address.